2003 Draft: DB Impressions

Tony Pauline / TFY Draft Preview

03/19/2003

With the Cleveland Browns depleted secondary needing a talent infusion, the team will certainly be looking a cornerbacks and safeties available in the draft. Going back through his notes from the Combine, Tony Pauline brings us the details on what pro scouts saw...

After several disappointing performances leading up to Monday's finale, the
defensive backs really stood out during the final session of the combine. Many
prospects ran much better then expected and capitalized afterwards with solid
showings during the drill segment.

The biggest winner of the group could be Kevin Garrett. After blistering to a
4.33 in the forty, his cover skills were seamless and Garrett was explosive in
every aspect of his game. Remember, Garrett suffered with a bad knee throughout
his senior campaign and this workout may be good enough to move the SMU product
into the first day of the draft, possibly top 60.

Terrence Newman displayed great skills, smarts and tremendous hands. His
athletic skill was very apparent as he'd sky vertically and contort, plucking
the ball out of the air in deep pass coverage drills.

Likewise Marcus Trufant showed great feet, great hips and a great head. After
running well in the forty he just kept the momentum going that he built in the
Senior Bowl (though we'd contest he's had the momentum going since he was a
freshman).

Rod Babers of Texas displayed excellent corner techniques after blistering in
the firty and proved he could quickly pedal then turn off the line, displaying a
terrific break on the ball. His hands though were terrible.

Another Big 12 corner who fared well was Donald Strickland as the Colorado star
was fluid, quick and displayed excellent footwork.

Rival Andre Woolfolk looked better in every aspect of his game compared to his
showing at the Senior Bowl.

Pitt's Torrie Cox was another with solid fundamentals as his footwork was
top-notch and he displayed the ability to contort or adjust in mid-air to make
the pick.

Yes, Dennis Weathersby ran exceedingly fast but he did not stand out during the
drill segment afterwards. While his backpedal was a little better than it had
been in the past, Weathersby still seemed a little slow in the hips and not
quick in transition. It remains our belief the Oregon State star will only be
effective in press coverage at the next level.

Nnamdi Asomugha worked out with the cornerbacks but is really best at safety. He
struggled with his backpedal and is not quick flipping is hips.

Second that for Julian Battle, who was struggling to gain ground in reverse.
Battle's athleticism is apparent and would be put to best use at safety facing
the quarterback.

As far as the pure safety's were concerned, Todd Johnson is technically sound
and displayed the ability to backpedal then turn and at the same time showed his
smarts on the field (not biting on any fakes as well as displaying great
timing). That said his lack of explosion and speed was evident.

Anthony Floyd was another who practiced with great cover fundamentals and
displayed a quick break on the ball. Floyd is sort of a 'tweener in the
secondary as he lacks the size for safety and speed for corner.